Hegemonic Norms in Literature & Literary Theory

Hegemonic Norms: Etymology and Concept

The term “hegemonic norms” is a fusion of two key concepts deeply rooted in sociology and political theory. “Hegemonic” traces its etymological origins to the Greek word “hegemon,” signifying a leader or ruler.

In sociopolitical contexts, particularly influenced by the ideas of Antonio Gramsci, hegemony refers to the dominance or control exerted by a ruling class over societal institutions and ideologies. “Norms” originates from the Latin word “norma,” denoting a standard or rule.

Together, “hegemonic norms” encapsulate the prevailing and often unspoken societal standards, values, and ideologies perpetuated by those in power, shaping accepted practices and behaviors within a given social structure. This term is frequently employed in critical discourse to scrutinize the subtle yet influential mechanisms through which dominant groups establish and maintain their authority over prevailing cultural, political, and social paradigms.

Concept

• Etymology:
  • Fusion of “hegemonic” (Greek, meaning leader or ruler) and “norms” (Latin, denoting a standard or rule).
• Hegemony:
  • Dominance or control exerted by a ruling class over societal institutions and ideologies.
• Norms:
  • Standards and rules governing accepted practices and behaviors within a social structure.
• Synthesis:
  • Combination of hegemony and norms, representing prevailing societal standards perpetuated by those in power.
• Critical Discourse:
  • Commonly used in critical discourse to analyze how dominant groups establish and maintain authority over cultural, political, and social paradigms.

Hegemonic Norms: Definition of a Theoretical Term

Hegemonic norms, in theoretical terms, refer to the prevailing societal standards, values, and ideologies perpetuated by dominant groups within a given social structure. This concept encompasses the implicit rules and expectations that shape accepted practices and behaviors, often reflecting the influence of those in power. The theoretical framework of hegemonic norms is crucial for analyzing how dominant groups establish and maintain authority over cultural, political, and social paradigms.

Hegemonic Norms: Theorists, Works and Argument

Theorists:

1. Antonio Gramsci (1891–1937):
   • Gramsci, an Italian Marxist philosopher, introduced the concept of cultural hegemony, emphasizing the role of dominant groups in shaping societal norms and ideologies.
2. Louis Althusser (1918–1990):
   • Althusser expanded on Gramsci’s ideas, highlighting the ideological state apparatuses through which hegemonic norms are transmitted and maintained in society.
3. Pierre Bourdieu (1930–2002):
   • Bourdieu’s work on cultural capital and habitus contributes to the understanding of how hegemonic norms are internalized and reproduced within different social groups.

Notable Works:

1. Antonio Gramsci – Prison Notebooks (1929–1935):
   • Gramsci’s influential work explores the concept of cultural hegemony and the ways in which ruling classes maintain control through ideological means.
2. Louis Althusser – Ideology and Ideological State Apparatuses (1970):
   • Althusser’s essay delves into the mechanisms through which hegemonic norms are disseminated and maintained, focusing on ideological apparatuses.
3. Pierre Bourdieu – Distinction: A Social Critique of the Judgment of Taste (1979):
   • Bourdieu’s book examines the concept of cultural capital and how individuals’ tastes and preferences are shaped by hegemonic norms, contributing to social distinctions.

Major Arguments:

• Pervasive Influence of Dominant Groups:
  • Hegemonic norms, according to Gramsci, Althusser, and Bourdieu, highlight the widespread impact of dominant groups in shaping societal values and behaviors.
• Non-Coercive Enforcement:
  • The argument asserts that these norms are not solely enforced through coercion but are deeply embedded in cultural, educational, and social institutions.
• Subtle and Ongoing Perpetuation:
  • Hegemonic norms perpetuate subtly and continuously, molding individuals’ perceptions and behaviors to align with the interests of those in power.
• Shaping Individuals’ Perspectives:
  • The theoretical framework emphasizes how hegemonic norms shape individuals’ perspectives, contributing to a collective acceptance of societal standards dictated by dominant groups.
• Need for Understanding and Challenge:
  • Recognizing and challenging hegemonic norms are deemed essential for fostering social change, dismantling systemic inequalities, and promoting inclusivity and equity.

Hegemonic Norms: Key Characteristics

Characteristic	Explanation
Dominant Group Influence	They are characterized by the influential role played by dominant social groups in shaping and dictating societal values and behaviors.
Cultural, Educational, and Social Embedding	These norms are deeply embedded in various aspects of society, including cultural practices, educational systems, and social institutions.
Non-Coercive Enforcement	Unlike overt coercion, the enforcement of hegemonic norms is often subtle, operating through cultural mechanisms and societal structures.
Subtle and Continuous Perpetuation	Hegemonic norms persist subtly and continuously, influencing individuals’ perceptions and behaviors over time.
Alignment with Power Interests	The perpetuation of these norms aligns with the interests of those in power, reinforcing existing social structures and hierarchies.
Shaping Collective Perspectives	These norms contribute to shaping collective perspectives, fostering a shared acceptance of societal standards dictated by dominant groups.
Need for Recognition and Challenge	Recognizing and challenging these norms is essential for promoting social change, dismantling systemic inequalities, and advancing inclusivity and equity.

Hegemonic Norms: Relevance in Literary Theories

• Representation and Power Dynamics:
  • In literary theories that focus on representation and power dynamics, the examination of these norms explores how characters and narratives reinforce or challenge societal power structures. It scrutinizes how literature reflects and perpetuates dominant ideologies through its portrayals.
• Cultural Hegemony in Texts:
  • The relevance of these norms in cultural hegemony within literary theories highlights how literature contributes to the dissemination of cultural norms. It probes into the ways in which dominant ideologies are conveyed and normalized through the narrative structure and thematic elements.
• Subversion and Resistance:
  • Literary theories emphasizing subversion and resistance find relevance in the exploration of how literature serves as a space for challenging these norms. It investigates how authors employ narrative strategies to subvert or resist established societal expectations and norms.
• Character Agency and Normative Expectations:
  • In theories that delve into character agency and normative expectations, the examination of these norms in literature sheds light on how characters navigate and respond to societal expectations. This analysis provides insights into the negotiation of normative frameworks within fictional worlds.
• Language and Ideological Constructs:
  • The relevance of hegemonic norms in theories focusing on language and ideology centers on the linguistic choices in literature. It scrutinizes how language constructs and perpetuates these norms, offering an understanding of the role of language in reinforcing power dynamics.
• Intersections with Gender, Race, and Class:
  • Literary theories examining intersections with gender, race, and class find relevance in the analysis of these norms. This exploration uncovers how power structures manifest in various social contexts within literature, emphasizing the intersectionality of dominant ideologies.
• Reader Response and Ideological Impact:
  • In theories centered on reader response and ideological impact, the study of hegemonic norms in literature investigates how readers interpret and internalize societal norms through literary texts. It considers the impact of literature on shaping cultural perceptions and values.
• Authorial Intent and Ideological Critique:
  • The relevance of hegemonic norms in theories focused on authorial intent and ideological critique explores how authors either reinforce or critique prevailing norms. It analyzes literature as a medium for reflecting and commenting on societal ideologies, providing insights into authors’ intentions and ideological engagement

Hegemonic Norms: Application in Critiques

1. Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (Nigeria):
   • Post-Colonial Hegemonic Legacy: Adichie’s novel critically examines the post-colonial hegemonic norms in Nigeria, particularly the impact of the Biafran War. It delves into how historical events shape societal expectations, identity, and power structures.
2. Weep Not, Child by Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o (Kenya):
   • Colonial Hegemonic Control: Thiong’o’s novel critiques the hegemonic norms imposed by colonialism in Kenya. It explores how these norms perpetuate cultural erasure, displacement, and the suppression of indigenous identities, emphasizing the lasting effects of colonial hegemony.
3. Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe (Nigeria):
   • Cultural Hegemony in Pre-Colonial Nigeria: Achebe’s classic critiques the cultural hegemonic norms in pre-colonial Nigeria disrupted by colonial forces. It analyzes the clash between traditional norms and colonial imposition, highlighting the societal transformations and power struggles.
4. Petals of Blood by Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o (Kenya):
   • Post-Independence Hegemonic Struggles: Thiong’o’s novel critiques post-independence hegemonic struggles in Kenya. It examines how political and economic structures perpetuate inequalities, reflecting on the complexities of nation-building and power dynamics.

In these critiques, the novels from Nigeria and Kenya offer profound insights into the historical and contemporary challenges posed by hegemonic norms. The analysis considers how these norms influence characters’ lives, societal expectations, and the broader socio-political landscape, providing a nuanced exploration of cultural, colonial, and post-independence experiences.

Hegemonic Norms: Relevant Terms

Relevant Terms in Hegemonic Norms

1. Cultural Hegemony: Dominance of specific cultural norms.

2. Ideological State Apparatuses: Institutions reinforcing hegemonic ideologies.

3. Power Structures: Hierarchical arrangements aligned with norms.

4. Subaltern Voices: Marginalized perspectives challenging norms.

5. Internalized Oppression: Acceptance of hegemonic norms within marginalized groups.

6. Counter-Hegemony: Movements resisting dominant norms.

7. Intersectionality: Interconnected impact of social categorizations.

8. Neocolonialism: Indirect perpetuation of colonial power dynamics.

9. Cultural Capital: Symbolic resources contributing to social status.

10. Discursive Practices: Language shaping and disseminating hegemonic ideologies.

Hegemonic Norms: Suggested Readings

1. Gramsci, Antonio. Selections from the Prison Notebooks. Edited and translated by Quintin Hoare and Geoffrey Nowell Smith, International Publishers, 1971.
2. Althusser, Louis. “Ideology and Ideological State Apparatuses.” Lenin and Philosophy and Other Essays. Monthly Review Press, 1971, pp. 127-186.
3. Bourdieu, Pierre. Distinction: A Social Critique of the Judgment of Taste. Translated by Richard Nice, Harvard University Press, 1984.
4. Adichie, Chimamanda Ngozi. Half of a Yellow Sun. Knopf, 2006.
5. Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o. Weep Not, Child. Heinemann, 1964.
6. Achebe, Chinua. Things Fall Apart. Anchor Books, 1994.
7. Orwell, George. 1984. Signet Classic, 1950.
8. Atwood, Margaret. The Handmaid’s Tale. Anchor Books, 1998.
9. Adichie, Chimamanda Ngozi. Purple Hibiscus. Algonquin Books, 2003.
10. Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o. Petals of Blood. Heinemann, 1977.